Just curious whether there were issues switching from Synthetic back to regular oil? Not that I will want to but I want to know that that option is available without causing any problems.

What synthetic did are you using (did use)? Mobil 1 is a great engine oil, but as a weird property. When mixed with other engine oils, synthetic or non-synthetic, it tends ot get a little gelatinous. As such, a good engine flush should be used to try to get out as much of the Mobil 1 as possible when switching over.

Otherwise, besides a decrease in protection, an increase in engine wear and shorter drain intervals, everything has already been mentioned.

In well over 10 years of using Mobil 1 Synthetic oil products in 5 cars I have never noticed any "weird" problems with the product.

That said - I will also say that I've not noticed any improvements in performance or gas mileage.

I use it for the "peace of mind' ; longer drain intervals; and higher heat protection.

I would contemplate trying AMSOIL - but other than heresay, I've not seen any substantive evidence offered that it is a superior product to MObil One Synthetics (either ATF or engine oil).

At least if you go visit the Mobil One site on the web they post the statistics and data on their products.

I would be very interest in an "apple-to-apple" comparison of the two products.

I don't want any hurt feelings over this - In fact, I might be convinced to switch over to AMSOIL with the right facts presented.

What information on which products would you like?

I agree with you. AMSOIL should really get off of it's ass and get into the web a little more seriously. They are however very accomadating when it comes to information requests. Just write/e-mail them. I know you won't believe me when I say this, but I used AMSOIL for long time before I became a licensed distributor for them. And I first started using it after doing research on the properties of various synthetics. I compared Castrol Syntec, Quaker State Ultra Premium, Mobil 1, Red Line and AMSOIL. This comparison was made using each company's performance, as tested by independent standardization groups that assure each company must meet certain guidelines in their products performance. I got this information through the Engineering Department of the University of Toronto. It was great, we got free stuff from everyone when we told them we were doing comparison tests between various products. We got everything from LED's, to HID lights, engine oil, etc.

The reason I did all this research was because I was running an F3 and an F2 class race car funded by the University of Toronto. And after all the research, we exclusively ran Red Line and AMSOIL. In general, Red Line had better maximum stress condition performance than AMSOIL, but the extra bit of protectio came at the cost of extremely rapid oxidation rates when compared to AMSOIL. When AMSOIL was good for an average of 3 times the average synthetic in terms of drain intervals, Red Line started going even quicker than some of the readily available synthetics.

So once again, what information on which products would you like and I'll try to get them for you. But like you said, you shouldn't trust it coming from my mouth (or fingers). Do the research yourself. There are many engineering institutes that will have this information for you. And it will be independent results.

Mobil 1 is easy to find. Walmart even has it. Red Line is available at several auto shops near me. Were on earth do I find Amsoil product. Are they available on-line. Has anyone seen them in retail outlets in the Tacoma, Wa area.

Thanks,

John

Just because something is readily available doesn't mean it's any good. If you are a small company like AMSOIL, it's hard to get large distributors. Not to mention that AMSOIL does not spend the majority of their attention on automobiles, but rather on snowmobiles, boats, motorcycles, and other combustion engines.

For your information, AMSOIL has a site that allows americans to order on-line. www.amsoil.com

But I'm sure if you find a licensed distributor in your area (to save on shipping), you'd get much better deals.

I haven't used any synthetic yet but am planning to on my wife's 1998 S70A which is used by her for short trips every day -- kid's school, kid's baseball, mall, etc. Would you believe the car currently has 18k miles? I have the oil changed every 3 months but synthetic might help in terms of the engine's longevity for those 3 to 7 mile trips she does everyday.

Brian M.

1998 S70GLT - 37k miles

1998 S70A - 18k miles

There are abslutely no issues in changing from synthetic back to non-synthetic, unless you consider such things as:

less protection against wear,

harder cold starts,

higher oil temperatures under load,

shorter oil changes,

No problem with Amsoil. I have not heard much (if any) scientific backing to the "can't switch oil brand theory".....Amsoil synthetic motor oil is 100% compatible with other motor oils.